The monster mash is now done and the results posted on the www.trailsforkids.org web sight. We had lots of new racers at the mash just like we did last year. Perhaps the neatest thing about the mash is the families that are racing, we had 8 families who had 2 or more kids entered in the races at the Monster Mash.
With the Mash under a belt we can look back at all 7 races and see what a great season its been. Lots of great races and practice rides, over 100 children participating in mountain bike racing at Wakefield Park. Our biggest class of the year was the 10 and under boys but we had racers in every class including the new girls classes. We will announce the riders of the year at the MORE winter meeting but the contests were close with most of the decisions not being made until the Monster Mash was finished.
Special thanks to the park for the great venue, PVC, Trips for Kids and Ex2 for putting on such great races (and keeping the kids costs low) and especially to Mike Pattisell for doing the lion share of course work and to MORE in general for keeping the trails in great shape.
So whats ahead for 2008 - we hope to add 2 more races to the summer gap series hopefully all at wakefield. We are looking for more bike shop, business and family teams so we can get the team competetion going strong in 2009 and for more kids specific rides throughout the year. See you all soon
After the Summer Gap we have 6 down and one race left to go. The Monster Mash in October. This year we have had over 80 racers participate and its been real fun watching some of the best racing I have ever seen adult or children.
Speaking of the Summer Gap race I never posted results so here they are:
| summer gap results | ||||||
| 15/16 boys | place | lap 1 | total time | |||
| Michael Riati | 1 | 18:17 | 38:49:00 | |||
| Benjamin Snyder | 2 | 21:37 | 50:09:00 | |||
| 13/14 boys | ||||||
| Chris Ludwig | 1 | 19:07 | 39:35:00 | |||
| Robert Caverly | 2 | 19:42 | 40:46:00 | |||
| Derry Martinez | 3 | 20:37 | 44:18:00 | |||
| Jake Levy | 4 | 23:49 | 55:12:00 | |||
| 13/14 girls | ||||||
| Laura Martinez | 1 | 22:43 | 51:10:00 | |||
| 11/12 boys | ||||||
| Colin David | 1 | 18:55 | 18:55 | |||
| Malik Bivins | 2 | 28:14:00 | 28:14:00 | |||
| Jared Levy | 3 | 31:08:00 | 31:08:00 | |||
| 11/12 girls | ||||||
| Heather Barnes | 1 | 24:15:00 | 24:15:00 | |||
| 10 and Under boys | ||||||
| Brian David | 1 | 20:43 | 45:41* | |||
| Max Sheehe | 2 | 28:17:00 | 28:17:00 | |||
| Oscar Avarello | 3 | 29:30:00 | 30:30:00 | |||
| Nicholas Caverly | 4 | 29:53:00 | 29:53:00 | |||
| Matthew Ludwig | 5 | 32:08:00 | 32:08:00 | |||
| Henry Emerts | 6 | 34:35:00 | 34:35:00 |
Things are pretty close in each age group for the overall season. Consistancy and Persistance are the key to success. Both of the Levy brothers have used this receipe to end up in the top 5 for their age groups. With double points for the monster mash almost all the groups top three places are still in play.
Next year I predict we will go from 7 races to 9 and will have over 100 participants but until then lets keep rolling this year and I look forward to seeing everyone soon
The Juniors races went great on July 27th at Wakefield for the Cranky Monkey. 2008 is the first year the Monkey has had racers under 14 participating and it was worth the wait.
There could be no more dramatic finish than Maddie S dragging her bike with a flat tire to a first place finish just ahead of the second place finisher Devon F. the 14 -18 course was a bruising 12 miles won by Andrew M.
A lot of the regulars didnt show but there were some bright new faces willing to give the course a shot. A total of 33 racers showed for the event. The results are posted here http://www.ex2adventures.com/tcm-results.php
next up will be the summer gap Juniors Only race at wakefield on monday August 11, 2008 at 5:30 it should be a fun run in the summer sun. More on this race at www.nvyouth.org
hope to see you there
The wow races really rocked - over 50 kids at thier best came to race and have some fun.
Before I forget, there is a Cranky Monkey Race open to all kids on July 27 and then a juniors only race on August 11. Both Races are at wakefield.
We had racers in every category in race number 4 for the first time ever- the girls showed up and put on quite a show from 6 year old Riley to 18 year old Janine!!!! Maddie S became the first young lady to put in a sub 20 minute lap (you go girl!!!!) finishing 2nd overall for the 13/14 race for the day.
The boys were no slouches either, racers coming from as far as way as France tested thier mettle against the course. Team Phoenix got thier first podium of the season with a third from Mouniv B placing third. I hope to see more riders from that team soon.
The 10 and unders really put on a show with Brian D almost breaking the 20 minute mark.
Race and Series results are on the PVC website and below are the top finishers for race 4’s 530 race.
13/14 boys - (1) Conner B (2) Jake Miller (3) Chris Ludwig
13/14 Girls (1) Maddie S (2) Laura M
11/12 boys (1)Ben K (2) Colin D (3)Austin Bell
11/12 Girls (1) Heather Barnes
10 and under boys (1) Brian D, Stan B, Max S
I thought race 2 was great but race three was incredible. Two photo finishes; one a dead heat for fourth place in the 13/14 between Derry and Yorshua, the other a scramble for second place that put Stan ahead of Oscar by less than a second. Incredible stuff. This week we had 5 racers break the 20 minute mark for thier lap.
As the w@w series winds down the race for top three places is still tight in all the groups. Conner, Maddie, Ben and Heather have locked up thier groups but things are still competitive, especially in the 17/18 and the 10 and under groups. We have had 53 youth participate in the races this year which is about the same as last year. Lots of growth in the youngest age and fewer in the oldest and in the new girls categories (the categories were mixed in the past).
After W@W - there is a July 27th race Cranky Monkey Race open to all the kids http://www.ex2adventures.com/cranky-monkey.php and an August 11th race that is kids only (yeahhhhhh) both will be at wakefield. Then the Northern Virginia Youth Mountain Bike League will go on Race hiatus until the Monster Mash on Oct 11.
If things stay as exiting as they have been then its going to be a great season.
Race 2 went off with great weather and great attitudes. We welcomed back some familiar faces from last year (Hello David Brothers), some new faces (Oscar and Cameron) and a new team (Team Phoenix). All the categories are competitive this year. While Conner, Ben, Maddie and Carolina all repeated thier first places, none of the categories stayed the same as last week for top three placements. This makes for an interesting series. Kudos to Alex for his perserverence and getting his first 1st place in the 17/18 category.
The results will be posted on the www.nvyouth.org webpage soon. see you wednesday
after last week race, one of the young racers received a bronze medal and said. There were only three racers so I was last really. Kind of a “glass is half empty” way of looking at things. Even though there was only three racers in the category, there was no garanteed medal, the rider still had to race and finish, no small task and only then would they be deserving.
A great example of this is Carolina A, last year she raced three races, all one lap only. this year with very little practice she was required to race a two lap race and in a crowded 6:00 race as opposed to the 5:30 race. She was the only girl in the 15/16 girl category. She was nervous and after one lap it would of been very easy for her to quit. She didnt and her team mates cheered her on as she received her well deserved gold medal on an otherwise empty podium.
Lots of nervous nellies at the starting line but everyone did great as the races kicked off at 5:30 last night. You couldn’t ask for better weather. Unbelievable times for the 13/14 (conner) and 11/12 (Ben) boys winners sub 20 minutes WOW! Maddie was only 26 seconds shy of doing the same thing herself, as she took the 13/14 girls category. Yes we have girls categories this year. 23 youths raced last night, thats a good start to a great season.
After the rainiest May and June I can remember it looks like race number one is set to go. Clear skies today and predicted for tomorrow. Jim Carlson and the PVC crew have been pulling everything together and TFK has lots of medals and freebies for the first race.
I’ve spoken to some of the racers from last year and some of the racers and the emotions run from “Im ready” to “You mean I have to do 2 laps this year???” but its always cheer in thier voice.
Im hoping for a great season for all the kids and hope that we can introduce the sport to even more kids.
See you at the registration booth
Its been a while since I posted here. What has me started up again? Spring is in the air and I am getting calls from kids and parents asking “When can the kids race?” Well I’m happy to say “soon” as in June…. with the Wednesday@Wakefield race series.
This year there will be more kids races especially for those under age 15 and more medals and ribbons including seperate male/female categories. Theres even talk of a kids only race day at wakefield in August.. How cool is that???
Youth from PVC, The Bike Lane, Trips for Kids, and City Bikes will still be bringing it but it looks like Phoenix Bikes will be the new kids on the block, hopefully other store and nonprofit teams race as well. Theres always the great family teams that show up and steal the day, theres nothing better to see a junior cheered on by mom and dad then junior cheering them on.
Potomac Velo Club, Trips for Kids and Ex2 are hard at work arranging the races for this season. MORE is busy at Wakefield Park pulling together great trails and arranging youth rides to get ready for the season. An added bonus this year Honest Tea will be at most of the event with tea and juices for the racers to enjoy. It promises to be a great year!!!!!
OK so about half the kids racing didnt even realize they were in a league and the other half didnt care, which makes it the most cool sports league of all time - the kids were in it just for fun and isnt that the way sports should be.
The Monster Mash provided great weather for the final race of the Northern Virginia Youth Mountain Bike League and the race provided great results.
37 youths raced around a dry course to see if they could do it and how well. Besides deciding who would win for the day - MM also decided who would win for the season.
Like I said, the fun is what matters but some folks have been asking me for results for the season and there have been some extraordanary performances during the last 5 months so here are the top youth riders at each age based on total points earned during W@W, Cranky Monkey and Monster Mash Races as well as paydirt and NPS educational ride points. Racers had to participate in a minimum of two events to qualify.
17 and 18 - Boys - Jonathon F, Thomas M, Richard H
15 and 16 - Boys - Alex C, Greg B, Jake D
13 and 14 Boys - Eric C, Cameron P, Roger C, Girls - Carolina A ,
11 and 12 Boys - Collin D, Dylan J, Antonio P, Girls - Maddie S, Laura M,
10 and Under Boys - While Brian D was the true stand out here, we never really intended for this to be a competitive class. Ironically it was the class with the most racers in the youth division of the Monster Mash - GO FIGURE. So hats off to all the kids who rode 10 and under at the mash and throughout this year.
Oct 13, saw 37 youth race at wakefield at the monster mash mountain bike race. Another 30 or so 6 and unders also did a race later that day on tricycles and training wheels around the skateboard park. This was all part of the Verizon Children’s Health Festival. Results for the race can be found at http://www.tfkmetrodc.org/monster_mash_results2007.htm . The most interesting thing about this race is that the class that is usually the smallest the super juniors (10 and under) had the most enteries (17). Some of the W@W racers came out of retirement to continue thier winning ways with Dylan J taking it up a notch and winning the 15 -18 class, followed by Jonathon and Alex.
Several of the riders have been practicing during the monday night The Bike Lane/MORE kids rides and it showed, Antonio P who dnf’ed a couple times in the past, came across the finish line strong pumping his hand up in the air. He likely will be surprised to find out that this strong season ender will give him 3rd place for boys in his age group for the year.
So what are the rest of the overall results, well I will post them soon, based on total points earned during the w@W, Cranky Monkey, and Monster Mash races as well as pay dirt points and NPS education ride points for both boys and girls in each age group (a rider had to participate in at least 2 events to be considered) There will likely be some surprises in there, some of the highest overall finishers are those youths who were consistant and participated in many races.
Anyway the important thing is over the last 5 months 80 kids had fun racing and riding together. They should all be proud of what they did this year and I hope to see them and thier friends back next year.
The Cranky Monkey series winded down this weekend with some great racing at Quantico Marine Corps Base. So far this season Ex2 and PVC have put on some wonderful mountain biking events.
With only October 13, 2007 Monster Mash Race at Wakefield Park remaining, the race for the youth riders of the year is close in every category.
In the boys 17 and 18 - Jonathon F and Thomas M are battling it out but with 75 points on the line for first place, Phillip C, Ben A, and Richard H could be spoilers
The boys 15 and 16 is even closer Greg B, ALex C, and Jake D are neck and neck for the title.
Eric C and Collin D are untouchable in thier classes. Two of the womens clases are locked with Betsy K, Carolina A only needing to finish to take thier age groups. But Maddie S and Laura M are battling it out in the 11/12 year old category.
The races are part of a larger Childrens Health Festival on October 13, sponsored by Verizon that will include a climbing wall, hip hop classes, and lots of really cool informational booths on health, safety and nutrition, so I hope everyone goes to the race and stays for the festival. During the festival, the rider of the year awards will be given out to to six or seven riders this year. It should be a real fun day.
A couple folks asked where the last names went from the blog. Simple answer I removed them. Im pretty sure Alex C and Maddie S still know who they are and since I didnt have expressed permission to use all the last names (event though they are on the race promoters websites) and they are minors I took them out. So if Debbie B wants to see her last name in bright lights, just let me know and I will throw it in.
WIth 6 races under the belt it looks like the October’s Monster Mash Race at the Verizon Childrens health Festival may decide some of the categories. Paydirt points and education rides have also made a difference - Below is a break down in 2 year classes both for young ladies and gents. With 2 cranky monkeys to go for the older riders and first place in the monster mash worth 75 points most of the classes are wide open.
17/18 - Boys - Jonathon F 168, Richard H 152 points
Girls - Betsy K 11 points (you go girl!!!!)
15/16 Boys - Greg B 172 Points, Alex C 101
Girls - No Girls with Points in this category yet
13/14 Boys - Eric C226, Cameron P 86
Girls - Carolina A 56, Caitlin S 12
11/12 Boys Collin D 172, Dylan J 136
Girls Maddie S 82, Laura M 76
Super Juniors - They all rock Brian D , Stan B , Tanner P , Caleb Z . Maria D , Caleb M, Jullian V
Over the past three weeks I have witnessed a couple good (as in bad) falls two were on trail rides one was in the second cranky monkey race. Kids fall and get hurt tying thier shoes, well my kids do at least so falling is part of life and everyone handles it differently. At the race, the rider in the junior class was closely tracking an older beginner rider. The older beginner rider clipped his handlebars on a course post and went down, said junior almost made it over him before endoing not a pretty site. The first rider got up and apologized, unfazed the junior shrugged it off and jumped back into the game.
On a trail ride last week a 12 year older was negotiating a turn on the CCT trail and slid in some gravel and caught his chest on a 2 foot tall piece of I Beam left in the ground from an old guard rail. Total fluke accident but a major ouchie for the lad, who kept a brave face in front of his female and adult companions. I have three rules on the trail for my kids when a rider falls, 1) see if he is ok, 2) figure out what caused the fall to avoid repeating it in the future 3) its ok to laugh with the rider who fell but never at them. This fall was serious enough no one was laughing. I bandaged him up and we got him home. I went by his house to see if he was up for a ride this week and he said “I dont think so…” The tone in his answer bothered me so I asked if he was ever going to ride again and he responded “I dont know” I rode off feeling like I had failed to protect the boy and had let him down.
Generally I think Mt biking is a safe activity, if simple precautions are taken. Helmet worn and child showed how to properly brake and not panic. The benefits of exercising in nature far outway any potential issues, especially since bicycling is a life sport. Falls and Fear are just another type of obstacle encountered on the trail. It doesnt matter how you get over the obstacle the important thing is you make it to the other side and keep going. I fell at difficult run years ago at a creek crossing and sprained my wrist. I havent liked creek crossings ever since but I always feel empowered when I cross one. I hope the young lad does decide to ride with us again. He always had fun and is a great person to be around, but this is one obstacle I dont think I can coach him through and he will have to take on himself.
PS- I called the county and in two days the offending piece of I beam was gone kudos to the park!!!!
With the W@W SERIES finished and the first Cranky Monkey under the belt the league standings are looking interesting should be close for Octobers Monster Mash Race at the Verizon Childrens health Festival - trail points and education rides could make a difference - Below is a break down in 2 year classes both for young ladies and gents
17/18 - Boys - Richard H 152 points Jonathon F 140
Girls - No Girls with Points in this category
15/16 Boys - Greg B 172 Points, Alex C and Jason B tied at 88
Girls - No Girls with Points in this category either
13/14 Boys - Eric C 226, Cameron P 86
Girls - Carolina A 56, Caitlin S 12
11/12 Boys Collin D 172, Dylan J 136
Girls Maddie S 82, Laura M 76
Super Juniors - They all rock Brian D , Stan B , Tanner P , Caleb Z, Maria D , Caleb M, Jullian V
Its not all about racing - its all about bikes - no wait thats not right, its all about the kids, getting them out active and learning. The racing is fun and the bikes are the tool (a very cool tool) but the NV Youth Mountain Biking League wants to promote healthy bodies and minds and thats why we have adopted two programs to give extra credits to kids.
The first is adopting EX’2s paydirt points. These are extra points to racers who come out and volunteer on trail days to help keep the trails sustainable. Jonathon F has already taken advantage of this, it not only makes him a better person in the community but it may make the difference on the podium for the race series as well. Additional series points are also being offerred for participating in the National Park Service Educational Mt Bike rides on the mall (Its flat but its dirt!). This series of educational rides teaches youth about the history of our country and our area. Antonio P was the first to bag some points and a little education. Next time you see him ask him what word is misspelled on the Lincoln Memorial, I’m sure he can tell you!
I got an email saying whats up with the Northern Virginia Youth Mt Bike League, why not the DC area Youth Mt bike league?
Good Question, First of all its for all kids regardless where they are from, We have several racers from PG county , Montgomery County and Carroll Maryland, but all the races are in Northern Virginia, why ? Because the three race promoters involved PVC, EX2 and TFK (lots of letters) already had an existing race schedule that would make it easy to focus on getting kids interested and track the youth results. Actually I wanted to call it MORE KIDS MT BIKE LEAGUE but its more than MORE, hopefully next years we will see 3 or 4 additional teams next year including high school teams, Jr high teams, family teams and other nonprofit teams competing as well. The goal is to get more kids active and in nature and just by word of mouth it seems to be working this year the number of juniors is nearly triple the number that raced last year.
Ive probably fitted one thousand kids onto mountain bikes (honestly). Most of the time youcan simply size them up by generalities under 5′ gets a 24″ tire bike, 5′ - 5′3″ gets a12/13 inch frame , 5′4 - 5′8″ 15/16 ” frame and so forth, - generally this works for relaxed trail riding for kids (even though one companies 18″ can be another companies 15″). But racing is a whole different story, stem length and standover height and top tube length have taken on a new meaning for me, especially for the girls racing and the smallest of kids. TFK owns one Women Specific Design frame in a petite size and it is a wonderful bike but the young lady who was riding this bike had the audacity to grow a couple inches over the last 6 months, putting the seatpost in the never never realm. I have placed her on three bikes subsequently and none seem correct -too far of a stretch, not enough stand over height, too short of a top tube, etc. I noticed that a lot of the adult women racing tend to show a lot of seatpost on thier cross country rigs, more so than the men. Since about 50% of the kids riding with us are girls we will purchase a few more of the WSD designs in the future but in the meantime, shorter stems, and longer seatposts seems to be helping out.
The other area of interest is with the smaller bikes, how come 24″ and 20″ tire bikes all seem to weigh thirtyfive lbs or more? Asking a little guy to throw this weight around seems cruel. I do see a change here though, Super Junior Brian David was riding a real nice Marin 20″ tire bike, looked like a shrunk down version of thier higher end bikes and I saw Kona has a disk brake equipped freeride hardtail for the junior jumpers out there. Anyway keep the rubber side down and have fun!